5 Amazing Health Benefits of Turmeric

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I love spices. I love the way they taste. I love the way they smell. And I love that they all have their own medicinal healing properties. Today I am sharing with you some of awesome health benefits of turmeric, one of my favorite spices.

Turmeric is a rhizome of the ginger family and is known officially as Curcuma longa. It is sometimes also called Indian Saffron. This hearty, earthy root is dug up, baked, and ground into a vibrant orange powder. Turmeric imparts a slightly spicy,bitter flavor and widely used in Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Southeast Asian cooking. Even though I adore turmeric for it’s culinary flavor, it’s the medicinal side of this amazing root that I want to talk about today.

Indian culture has long used turmeric to treat wounds, infections, and other health problems. It has been revered as “holy medicine.” Recent research is now confirming of these claims, and medical doctors are beginning to acknowledge the antioxidant, anti-cancer, antiviral properties of this root.

5 Amazing Health Benefits of Turmeric

1) Turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory

Turmeric contains more than two dozen anti-inflammatory compounds, including six different COX-2-inhibitors (the COX-2 enzyme promotes pain, swelling and inflammation; inhibitors selectively block that enzyme.) In addition, curcumin, the main component in turmeric, lowers the levels of two other enzymes in the body that cause inflammation.

The University of British Columbia conducted a study that showed curcumin to be effective in inhibiting inflammation in arthritis.

Research has shown turmeric to be an effective anti-inflammatory in the treatment of conditions like arthritis, sports injuries, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, tendonitis and various autoimmune diseases.

And unlike aspirin or ibuprofen, turmeric’s curcumin reduces inflammation naturally, without damaging the liver or kidneys.

2) Turmeric is a powerful antioxidant

According to the University of Maryland, turmeric has many antioxidant properties. Antioxidants fight off cancer-causing free radicals and may reduce or even help prevent some of the damage they cause.

This is important in many diseases, such as arthritis, where free radicals are responsible for the painful joint inflammation and eventual damage to the joints. Turmeric’s combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects explains why many people with joint disease find relief when they use the spice regularly.

3) Turmeric has been shown to block cancer

A recent study from UCLA found that curcumin, the main component in turmeric, appeared to block an enzyme that promotes the growth of head and neck cancer.

A 2007 study published in the International Journal of Cancer found that curcumin compares favorably with oxaliplatin, a cancer chemotherapy agent. (source)

Evidence from test tube and animal studies suggests that curcumin may help prevent or treat several types of cancers, including prostate, breast, skin, and colon cancer. (source)

4) Turmeric lowers your risk for diabetes

It is estimated that 25.8 million people, or 8.3% of the U.S. population, have diabetes, both diagnosed and undiagnosed. Studies now show that regular use of curcumin can lower your risk of developing diabetes.

Research, published in the journal Diabetes Care, found that people with prediabetes who took capsules containing curcuminwere less likely to go on to develop Type 2 diabetes, compared with people who didn’t take the curcumin capsules.

5) Turmeric is good for your liver

Turmeric has been shown to improve liver function. This is a good thing because your liver is one of the most important organs in your body. It removes toxins from your blood. It converts food into energy. It produces bile to aid in digestion. Who couldn’t use a bit of help with all of that?

Recent research has shown turmeric to be helpful in treatment of serious liver damage and cirrhosis. This is great news as there are few therapeutic options for liver damage available.

Other conditions turmeric has been noted to improve

Indigestion

Ulcerative Coilitis

Stomach Ulcers

Ostoearthritis

Heart Disease

Bacterial and Viral Infections

Alzheimer’s/Dementia

How to take Turmeric

Use liberally in your cooking to enjoy the health benefits of turmeric. Combine it with other spices like cumin, coriander, garam masala, cinnamon, and mustard to create delicious savory curries. Sprinkle it over veggie before you roast them. Add a titch to your soups and stews.

Take turmeric supplements. You can purchase turmeric pills OR you can buy turmeric in bulk and encapsulate it yourself. These are the veg-caps that I use. I like to make my own because it saves me money.

Drink turmeric milk in the evening. Gently simmer 1 and 1/2 cups of milk of your choice with 1/2 to 1 tsp turmeric powder, a bit of fresh grated ginger, a couple of crushed cardamom pods, a titch of black pepper, and a pinch of cinnamon for 3-4 minutes. Allow to cool slightly then strain and serve. I like to add a bit of honey and coconut oil. Delish! You can also make a Golden Milk Turmeric Paste that last for several weeks in the fridge. Simply add a tablespoon to hot milk and you have the best Golden Milk ever.

Use a little bit of fresh turmeric root in your juicing. It will give you a potent raw juice that’s sure to heal.

Precautions

Turmeric and curcumin are extremely safe to take. However, please note that they can lower blood sugar, so anyone being treated with diabetic medications should discuss supplementation with their primary care provider. It may also act as a blood thinner, so anyone planning surgery should discuss this with their doctor or surgeon. Extremely large doses can lead to stomach upset, and, in extreme cases, ulcers. Anyone with ulcers, gallstones, or gall bladder issues should consult their primary doctor before using.

I would love to hear your favorite uses for turmeric. Please share in comments below.

Katja is the creator, author and chef of Savory Lotus. Food is her passion, and food is also her medicine. Katja believes that good health starts with deeply nourishing foods and that healthy living doesn’t have to be complicated. Join her for easy to prepare recipes made with real food ingredients. Gluten and grain free. Paleo-friendly.

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I make this following recipe from “Sweet Potato Heaven” several times a week (it’s very similar to your recipe – I am interested to see what it is like with cardamom and pepper). I add way more turmeric, and I don’t heat it on the stove-top – I either have freshly blended, or blend until slightly warmed. It’s beautiful either way… I think it is rather like a spicy latte.

Put the ingredients in your blender, and blend until completely smooth. Leave no chunks behind. Then heat the liquid in a pot on the stove, but don’t bring it to a boil. Sprinkle a little more cinnamon on top and serve. Then close your eyes and enjoy Turmeric Heaven! And thank God for your blessings, which include this tasty drink. And share it with all of your friends : )”

How many pills do you take per day? I would like to start making my own as well. Right now I put 1/2 tsp in with my cayenne drink in the morning but would like to take more if possible. I have horribly elevated inflammation due to Lyme disease. Thanks!

To make my paste, I use 1/2 cup local honey and 1/2 cup organic coconut oil (melted for ease of mixing). Then I add 1/4 cup organic turmeric, 2 Tbs each ginger, black pepper and cinnamon. This paste can be used in may ways, but my favorites are to stir 2 Tbs into warm milk or coffee and for a healthy turmeric breakfast parfait, I combine plain greek yogurt, crushed walnuts, granola clusters and I drizzle 2 Tbs of my paste over the top! It’s sweet, spicy, tangy and crunchy! VERY satisfying and beneficial!

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Hi I’m Katja!

Healthy living doesn't have to be complicated. And eating delicious real food can be fun. Here's how we do it in our family. Join me for easy-to-make recipes, natural living tips, and DIY fun! Gluten free. Paleo-friendly. More about Savory Lotus